Monday, December 20, 2010

In the fall issue of Scrapbooking & Cards Today I wrote an article on rubons. I figure it's about time I share these projects here. I consider rubons to be like a one time use stamp. They are super versatile and a whole lot of fun check out this card I made with rubons from American Crafts.

To make your rubons sparkle try this simple trick: apply rubons to white cardstock, cut out and then coat with your favorite dimensional glaze. Set aside to dry then adhere to your project with foam squares. Viola your rubons now look like expoxy stickers.

Friday, December 17, 2010

Remember my creative bucket list post I decided I wanted to refine it a bit for the holidays. I kind of figure by writing down my ideas I am owning them and even if I don't get to them this year I can put them at the top of my list next year. So here goes ...

make a holiday table runner (I bought the fabric so I guess you can say I started this)

ornament mini book

make my own gift bags

cookie recipe book/layouts

bake said cookies

make a mini album gift for a friend

make an advent calendar (it's really too late for this but I love the idea and have always wanted to create one of my own)

create a December daily album (again this is another one of those next year projects)

I saw this decorative gift bag idea on another blog and it's killing me that I can't remember where. There was even a great tutorial. If it comes to me I will add the link later. I created the ornament using a giant circle punch and tons of random scraps of Jillibean patterned paper. Did you notice the bow it's the same as the tie on yesterdays project. Again there are 4 pieces of ribbon are sewn together.

I was up late with friends last night so I think it's best I stop being a slug and get moving. Coffee anyone? Take care and happy crafting :)

Starting on the left glue patterned paper to the back of the notebook as shown in the photos above. Note I didn't cover the whole back (we'll get to this later).

I pretty much use my embossing burnishing tool to make score lines. To make the folds score 2 lines using the fine tip of the embossing burnishing tool and a ruler then fold, this will create the left cover flap.

Adhere the larger chipboard and score the outside edge as seen in the photo above.Sorry I chose to work with a kraft based patterned paper and the chipboard doesn't show up well in these photos.

Fold over and trim the excess patterned paper. Then adhere the the inside cover as seen in the photo above.

Repeat the process on the right side. This time cover the entire back of the notebook for a finished look.

For a final touch I added a decorative white border punched from a piece of scrap cardstock. Now your book is covered and it's your turn to add your own touches. I also added a small piece of adhesive velcro to the inside to act as a closure.

My final project is super simple I went with the less is more approach cause that's how I roll. I really wanted a wide ribbon for a dramatic look but I didn't have any on hand so I decided to sew 2 pieces together and when that wan't wide enough I kept adding ribbon. The final tie I made is 4 pieces of ribbon sewn together. I am totally hooked on this look ;). I trimmed the edges with pinking shears.

Tuesday, December 14, 2010

Okay it's not an original title but it gets the job done. I managed to snap a few photos of our holiday decor. I need to take more photos when the rain settles and we get a few sun breaks. Wish me luck with that ;).

My hubby and son made the letters for me years ago. My house is fairly simple. I'm not one for clutter that would mean I would have to dust.

Please ignore the dying house plant in the background. I have a black thumb and I confess this is the 2nd plant to reside that corner. My sofa side table is a stack of old books I confiscated from my mom topped off by a tray. It's not exactly level but hey it's cool (or at least I keep telling myself that).

These 2 snow men are my favorite they came from my annual Christmas Bunco gift exchange. First we drink wine (really that's why we all play bunco isn't it), the gifts are collected, we draw numbers, then the fun begins. Items can be stolen 2 times before they are frozen. There was a vicious fight over these snowmen ... I must have had a good number that year. This year our annual gift exchange is Thursday. I can't wait it's always a fabulous evening.

Monday, December 13, 2010

Tuesday's tip of the day is brought to you by the December Midnight Rooster kit. My kit contained a full package Documentary RabRips from Studio Calico. At frist I pulled off a couple of fabric strips but I wasn't feeling it - I was left staring at a partial sheet of the FabRips and then it hit me...

What I discovered is that the FabRib sheet easily punched. Rather than use the strips as intended I decided why not use my Quickutz and make my title from the adhesive fabric. Then I took the idea one step further and made 2 custom covered I-Topper brads. On the larger custom brad I pieced together a few sections of the FabRib.

Have you noticed I have been busy. Yup my little blog is getting a whole new look for the new year. A little summary of some of the changes ... a new blog banner, blinkies, new colors and fonts. If you are wondering about the flower in the banner it came from a digital kit I purchased from 2 Peas in a Bucket a few years ago. The kit is Princess Pink Brushes and was designed by Katherine Teague. If you are wondering why the flower well it matches my business cards. In the future I plan on making some of my images smaller sometimes it seems as if they take over my entire blog. I am thrilled I was able to finally add some blinkies to the side bar. I haven't made them link to the sites yet hence the under construction title of this post. I also need a new blog signature. I know what I want it's just a matter of making it happen. I am still playing with the sidebar lists. This blog makeover has been on my to do list forever and it feels real good to finally make some updates.

This little notebook was a breeze to make. I wish I had taken photos along the way to show you. I guess that means I will have to make another one. Just a little FYI I used a couple of pieces of self adhesive velcro as a closure for the notebook.

Saturday, December 11, 2010

Congratulations to Connie for winning the Midnight Rooster December Mini kit. Yeah thanks so much to everyone who came by and left a comment. I loved reading about all your favorite cookies even the basics.

Here's another December Midnight Rooster kit project. I decided to scrapbook the last photos I took of our cat before he passed away in October. He was such a fabulous cat we still miss him very much.

One quick tip ... I played around with the yellow October Afternoon rubon and did a tone on tone effect with my title. I printed my title backwards on the yellow cardstock from MS Word then I placed the rubon randomly on the the front and then cut out the title. Using scotch tape I removed part of the rubon from some of the letters. To see how this tone on tone rubon effect looks check out the first detail shot.

This is my first month designing for Midnight Rooster. The December kit landed in my mailbox and I was super excited. At heart I love to mix up patterned paper in unexpected ways and the Midnight Rooster kits really do this perfectly. Every month the designers get to giveaway a mini kit.

So how this works is leave me a comment telling me about your favorite holiday cookies to bake and if you don't bake hey that's okay just tell me about your favorite cookies to eat. Links to your favorite recipes are greatly appreciated. One of our favorite cookies to have this time of year is Mexican Wedding Cakes. I am fond of the Joy of Cooking recipe. I am a little late posting this ... newbie design team member. I will have to pick my winner tomorrow night.

How about a couple of projectsI made with the December kit? The kit was endless and I made quite a few things so I am going to only show a couple right now. (Supplies Used: Scrap Fabric, 7 Gypsies Buttons, handmade Midnight Rooster stick pins and thread)

Okay so I went a little out of the box here but really could you blame me. I loved the idea of making a little pin cushion from the scrap of fabric from the kit. Batting and thread were the only non kit items I used when I made this. If you don't need a pin cushion this could double a Barbie pillow.

You know how I talk about having little "ahhh haa" moments when I scrapbook. I had one when I dotted the 'i" with the custom made pin wheel stick pin. Man I just love this it's super simple but so effective.

I will be sending out emails tonight to both of you. In the spirit of the holiday season I will let it be a surprise as to which issue you receive. Merry Christmas :)

Speaking of Christmas. We got our tree last weekend and it sit has been sitting with just twinkle lights until tonight. We finally got down to decorating YEAH! I have some final touches I want to add here and there but they require a trip to Target and JoAnn's. Tomorrow looks like a packed day. I hope to have my house back in order and maybe I can snap some photos.

Thursday, December 2, 2010

To celebrate the I am giving a copy of each of these beauties away. Just leave a comment between now and Monday and I will pick 2 winners at random. On a side note ... GO DUCKS. We will be spending the weekend at a swim meet and then watching lots of football.